India's gig economy is projected to grow significantly, with estimates suggesting over 23 million gig workers by 2029-30. However, this expansion comes with serious challenges, particularly regarding discrimination and access issues faced by these workers. A recent incident involving Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal highlighted this problem when he experienced discriminatory treatment while attempting to deliver a package at Ambience Mall on October 6, 2024. Goyal's Instagram post brought attention to the widespread discrimination that gig workers encounter, particularly in gated communities [48df27b5].
Similar experiences have been reported by others in the sector. Nilesh Kumar, an Amazon employee, faced exclusion in Ghaziabad, illustrating a broader trend where gated communities implement segregation policies against service workers. Social activist Ramendra Kumar pointed out that caste-based discrimination is prevalent, especially for domestic workers, further complicating the landscape for gig workers [48df27b5].
Anoushka Verma criticized the illogical treatment of service workers, emphasizing that the wealthy often isolate themselves from ordinary workers. Noor Khan, a delivery agent for Blinkit, expressed feelings of being treated like a thief when entering these gated communities, underscoring the stigma associated with gig work [48df27b5].
In response to these issues, Ambience Mall announced a designated pickup point for delivery agents, but many criticized this measure as insufficient. Rajiv Sharma, a trade unionist, emphasized the need for leadership to combat discrimination and advocate for the rights of gig workers [48df27b5].
The gig economy has become a significant part of the workforce in India, with nearly 7.7 million people reported to be part of this sector in 2021. As the number of gig workers continues to rise, addressing the pressing issues of job insecurity and discrimination becomes increasingly critical. Policymakers must implement comprehensive laws and regulations that ensure fair treatment and access to essential benefits for these workers [2cdfbdd5] [6ae7a08b] [4b13bef3] [42c4e775].